UC Staff, Faculty Volunteer for Day of Focused Community Service

The University of Cincinnati will send more than 100 staff and faculty volunteers to engage in various service projects throughout the communities surrounding UC's campuses on May 2. This one day of intentional, focused service is called UC Serves.

The all-day service event allows staff and faculty the opportunity to give back to neighboring communities and to share in the common experience of meaningful engagement. UC Serves reflects the university's commitment to enhancing our community through service, as outlined in UC's Academic Master Plan and Just Community Principles.

Vice President for Student Affairs Debra Merchant says the pilot program also enables staff and faculty to not only "talk the talk" but also to "walk the walk" as role models for students by actively participating in volunteer efforts.

The theme for the event is “Housing and Community.” Participants are offered a variety of service options, allowing volunteers to choose a service experience that suits their interests and to make meaningful connections with the communities in which they live and work.

Throughout the day, teams of UC volunteers will be assembling vials of medical and personal information for the elderly; helping with general neighborhood cleanup; harvesting produce; painting hallways and rooms; and assisting with many other projects. These services will benefit various nonprofit or community-based groups including the American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Freestore Foodbank, Friends of the Public Library and Volunteers of America.

UC Serves is organized by UC's Emerging Leaders in Student Affairs. For more information about UC Serves, contact Michela Buccini at 513-936-1537 or michela.buccini@uc.edu, or Fran Larkin at 513-556-1503 or fran.larkin@uc.edu; or go to www.uc.edu/sas/elsa/ucserves.html.